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China-ASEAN Expo has formula for success 

By Wang Xin (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-10-21 09:47

The fifth China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) has become a widely anticipated event both at home and abroad.

Volunteers prove very helpful to exhibitors and visitors. [China Daily]

It will begin tomorrow and end on Saturday in Nanning, capital of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

Organizers use the simple equation 10+1\>11 to illustrate what CAEXPO means to China and the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

As the only international trade and investment event that is jointly sponsored by the governments of China and ASEAN countries, the expo plays an instrumental role in developing the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA), deepening strategic partnerships between the two sides and promoting regional cooperation.

Divided into four sections, including commodity trading, investment cooperation, agricultural applied technology and charming cities, the event will host 3,300 exhibition booths this year.

Both Chinese and overseas companies value the expo as an effective platform to seek business opportunities and have shown growing interest in the annual event, as shown by the applications to reserve 3,500 exhibition booths -- far beyond expectations.

So far, 1,222 booths have been taken up by ASEAN exhibitors, accounting for more than one third of the total stands and creating a record for CAEXPO.

While the five countries of Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Myanmar have booked entire exhibition halls, as they did last year, Cambodia has been designated as the "country of honor" and will also join their ranks.

Cambodia honored

Cambodian Minister of Commerce Cham Prasidh said his country valued being made country of honor, Xinhua reported.

The "country of honor", which debuted last year, means ASEAN countries will take turns of being the focus of the show. Brunei was the country of honor last year and the countries are selected alphabetically.

Organizers plan to add more Cambodian elements for the opening ceremony of the expo and decorate the exhibition halls with Cambodian themes.

A large trade delegation headed by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is expected to occupy 150 stands and show off their products at the national exhibition hall. This will be the prime minister's fifth tour to CAEXPO, making him the only ASEAN leader that has visited the expo for five consecutive years.

Chinese and Cambodian political leaders will attend the opening ceremony at the national hall this afternoon.

Meanwhile, high-ranking governmental officials, entrepreneurs and representatives of trade associations from both countries will attend a presentation on Thursday, when it will be briefed on Cambodia's investment environment and the Cambodian side will present cooperative projects to seek investors.

In addition, Cambodian artists will participate at the concurrent gala show - the Nanning International Folk Song Festival, to showcase the charms of their country.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia. Nearly 600 Cambodian companies have participated at four previous expos, with total trade volume surpassing $20 million and investment contracts worth $900 million concluded.

CAEXPO expands its influence

CAEXPO, as the name suggests, focuses on exchanges between China and ASEAN countries, yet it is also open to players outside the circle.

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